WWII Aircraft Operations & Maintenance

Images showcasing WWII aircraft, including bombers being serviced and preparing for missions, along with ground crew activities in varied wartime settings.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War Four shore based Blackburn Skua aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm lined up and ready to take off from the airfield at HMS SPARROWHAWK, Royal Naval Air Station, Hatston, the Orkneys. Pilots are climbing into the cockpits.

American Aircraft in Royal Air Force Service 1939-1945- Douglas Db7 and Db-7b Boston. Boston Mark IIIAs (BZ389RH-E nearest) of No. 88 Squadron RAF, fitted with smoke-laying equipment in the bomb-bays, prepare to take off from Hartford Bridge, Hampshire, on a smoke-laying sortie during Operation STARKEY.

Halifax Bomber Which Has Completed Thirty Bombing Operations Over Enemy Territory. - A maintenance crew at work on "Seagoosk", a Halifax bomber which has completed thirty bombing operations over enemy territory. May 13, 1943. (Photo by Planet News Ltd.)

Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. Ground crew packing a dinghy and its supplies for installation in an Avro Anson Mark I, air-sea rescue aircraft, of No. 276 Squadron RAF at Harrowbeer, Devon.

Royal Air Force- 2nd Tactical Air Force, 1943-1945. Supermarine Spitfire Mark XVIs of No. 421 Squadron RCAF stand parked in the snow at B56/Evere, Belgium, as a Lockheed Hudson of Transport Command lands on the cleared main runway.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War Four shore based Blackburn Skua aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm lined up and ready to take off from the airfield at HMS SPARROWHAWK, Royal Naval Air Station, Hatston, the Orkneys. Pilots are climbing into the cockpits.

RAF Bomber Command 1940 Handley Page Hampdens of No. 61 Squadron at Hemswell prepare to take off on a raid, 16 October 1940.

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945. Ground crew testing the engines of a Douglas Boston Mark III of No. 88 Squadron RAF Attlebridge, Norfolk.

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1939-1941. Handley Page Halifax Mark I Series 1, L9530 MP-L, of No 76 Squadron RAF undergoing maintenance at Middleton St George, County Durham. L9530 was shot down while attacking Magdeburg on 15 August 1941.

Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. A trainee fighter pilot taking off in a Supermarine Spitfire Mark II at No. 61 Operational Training Unit, Rednal, Staffordshire. Comment: RAF Rednal was in Shropshire, not Staffordshire.

RAF Fighter Command 1940 Boulton Paul Defiant of No. 264 Squadron being refuelled, July 1940.

Royal Air Force- 2nd Tactical Air Force, 1943-1945. King George VI and his entourage of senior RAF officers walk over to Hawker Typhoon Mark IB, MN454 'HF-S', of No. 183 Squadron RAF, while inspecting aircraft and equipment which will be used in the forthcoming invasion of Normandy at Northolt, Middlesex. MN454 was flown by the Commanding Officer of 183 Squadron, Squadron Leader the Hon. F H Scarlett. Behind the King's party is a Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX of No. 222 Squadron RAF.

Anefo photo collection. Crashed Tiger Methe Gear from National Aviation School at Nieuw Loosdrecht. September 21, 1959. Nieuw-Loosdrecht

The Royal Navy during the Second World War A Grumman Hellcat at RAF Wittering. The US Navy's latest fighter, the Hellcat is now being used by the British Fleet Air Arm flying alongside its own Supermarine Seafires.

Air force in Czechoslovakia. March 22, 1939.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War A close up of the new American built Grumman Avenger three seater torpedo bomber in flight during exercises from HMS SPARROWHAWK, the Royal Naval Air Station at Hatston. Note the fact that the torpedo is fully enclosed so as to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft.

Royal Air Force- 2nd Tactical Air Force, 1943-1945. Hawker Typhoon Mark IBs of No. 198 Squadron RAF, taxy out for a sortie from their dispersal at B10/Plumetot, Normandy.

Royal Air Force- Italy, the Balkans and South-east Europe, 1942-1945. Supermarine Spitfire Mark VCs of No. 152 Squadron RAF being refuelled between sorties at Lentini East, Sicily, as another Spitfire flies over them.

RAF Fighter Command 1940 Hawker Hurricane Mk I P3166 VY-Q, flown by the CO of No. 85 Squadron, Sqn Ldr Peter Townsend, on standby with battery cart plugged in at Castle Camps, July 1940.

RAF Gosport during the Second World War A Bristol Blenheim IV possibly of 86 Squadron RAF flies low over RAF Gosport observed by airman and sailors from the ground. A Blackburn Skua of the Aircraft Torpedo Development Unit is seen on the ground.

Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Handley Page Hp.57 Halifax. Halifax B Mark II Series 1 (Special), JB911 KN-X, of No. 77 Squadron RAF, making a low level pass over other aircraft of the squadron at Elvington, Yorkshire.

Royal Air Force- Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943.

A Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII of No. 155 Squadron about to take off from Tabingaung, Burma, January 1945. A Supermarine Spitfire Mark VIII of No. 155 Squadron RAF, creates a cloud of dust as the pilot opens up his throttle prior to take of at Tabingaung, Burma.

Plane comes Apart After Attending Tarawa -- With one wheel facing the ***** way and his hydraulic system shot up ***** Charles L. Mountenot of Edgewater, ***** came into land on a carrier off ***** after an attack on the Japs. The ***** the plane, but snapped in two. August 12, 1943. (Photo by Associated Press Photo). ;Plane comes Apart After Attending Tarawa -- With one wheel facing the ***** way and his hydraulic system shot up ***** Charles L. Mountenot of Edgewater, ***** came into land on a

A flight of Meteor jet fighters of No.77 Squadron RAAF, are show here lined up on an airfield in Korea awaiting pilots to take them of for a strike against Communist targets. Each of these hard-hitting Meteors is armed with eight high-explosive rocket projectiles. Late the Meteors were modified to carry sixteen of these rocket to double their striking power. January 12, 1955. (Photo by RAAF Official Photo).

Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Bomber Command Stirling N3663/MG-H of No 7 Squadron, on display at Newmarket Heath, Suffolk, during a visit by King Peter of Yugoslavia, 29 July 1941. A typical bomb load is on view beneath the aircraft for the King's inspection.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Far East, 1941-1945. Pilots of No. 67 Squadron RAF sitting in a jeep in front of 'Mary Ann', the Commanding Officer's Supermarine Spitfire Mark VIII, JG567, at Akyab, Burma, on the day after a section led by the CO shot down five Nakajima Ki 43s from a force of Japanese aircraft which attacked the port following its reoccupation. At the wheel is the Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader R W R 'Bob' Day, who shot down two of the Ki 43s, and sitting next to him is Flight Lieutenant C M Simpson, who claimed another two. The other pilots are, (left to right), Warrant Officer G W Milsom, Flight Sergeant E R Owen and Pilot Officer L Brett.

Royal Air Force- 2nd Tactical Air Force, 1943-1945. Engine fitters at work on the Rolls-Royce Derwent jet-engine of a Gloster Meteor F Mark III of No. 616 Squadron RAF at B156/Luneberg, Germany.

RAF Fighter Command 1940 Crews being taken out to their Boulton Paul Defiants of No. 264 Squadron, July 1940.

Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. Jose Joaquin Moniz de Aragao, the Brazilian Ambassador, greets Flight Sergeant A Williams, during the presentation of Spitfire 'O Bandeirante' to No. 111 Squadron RAF at Debden, Essex, on behalf of the people of the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The F9F Panther jets are refueling after rockets have been hung under the wings. Ca. 1951.

Z.K.H. Prince Bernhard visits the Leeuwarden flying base as an Inspector General of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The prince steps into a Gloster Meteor as a duo passenger for half an hour of shooting exercise above the Vliehors. The kite for in the cockpit is Major Kite S.K. Aertsen, Commander of 324 Squadron.

Fleet Air Arm. January 01, 1941. (Photo by Planet News Ltd.).

Tamed Zero - This Japanese Zero will do no more damage to Americans, it fact it is now working for the allies. Made up from parts of 5 Jap Zeroes show down in the battle for the Buna Airstrip, it seen here at Wright Field where it has been undergoing a series of tests by materiel common specialists to determine its characteristics. ***** known as the "Hump", it is a fighter of fairly Long Range, which range can be increased ***** droppable gas tank shown here attached to the ship. February 12, 1944.(Photo by U.S. Army Air Force Photo).

WASPs at Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas. WASPs at Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas. "WASP Jo Ann Garrett (in Fairchild PT-19) gets lessons in flight from Instructor Hubert Hoogerwerf, while WASPS Lana Cusack, Enid Fisher, Mimi Platter, Nelle Carmody, and Ann Aldner look on. Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas.".

The Royal Navy during the Second World War A Fairey Barracuda pilot of 831 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm being helped with his harness before taking off from HMS FURIOUS whilst she was off the coast of Norway. Note the eyes and mouths painted on the bombs hanging from the wing of the aircraft.

Royal Air Force- France, 1939-1940. Ground crewmen using a trolley-accumulator start up a Hawker Hurricane Mark I of No. 501 Squadron RAF at Betheniville.

American Aviation Section Preparing For Flight Preparing Spad S.XIII for flight, Colombey-les-Belles, 26 July 1918, Aviation Section, First Air Depot.

The conclusion of a dogfight. Circa 1918.

Anefo photo collection. Australian fighter aircraft ground crew bomb train Tarakan location?. 1945. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies, Tarakan

Bomber Command during the Second World War Men of No 99 (Madras Presidency) Squadron, Royal Air Force standing in front of their Vickers Wellington bomber 'Tinnevelly' at Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire: Sergeant Harper Sergeant G Maxwell Sergeant Brew Pilot Officer Fahnestock Sergeant Ross Gregory Sergeant Matthews

B 5 On a field at an eskade exercise, 1941 . aircraft B 5 marked number 47 belonging to F 4 Frösön stands on a field with hay hay. Seen from behind. At an eskade exercise in 1941. belong to the old Malmen collection. GM 922. Out of Air Force Museum's image archive.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War Six Hawker Sea Hurricanes of 885 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm with their engines running, ranged on the deck of HMS VICTORIOUS. All are ready to take off the moment an enemy aircraft is spotted.

U.S. Airforce In China -- A flight of "Flying Tiger" pursuit planes is lined up at a secret airfield "somewhere in China" before taking off on a mission against the Japanese. The U.S. Army Air Forces, led by Brigadier General Claire L. Chennault of "Flying Tiger" fame, have kept up their scoring record of eight Jap planes downed for each American loss. February 15, 1943. (Photo by Interphoto News Pictures, Inc.).

Crashed Russian Bomber Tupolev SB Operation Barbarossa - German Invasion of Russia, 1941 - 15th Infantary Division of the Thuringia-Kurhessen Division

Aircraft Ofthe Royal Air Force, 1939-1941- Bristol Type 142m Blenheim I. Bristol Blenheim Mark I, L1295 in flight above the clouds. This aircraft commenced service in August 1938 with No. 107 Squadron RAF, followed by No. 600 Squadron RAF, the Royal Aircraft Establishment, No. 54 Operational Training Unit, RAF Cranwell, No. 3 Radio School, and finally No. 12 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, with whom she was damaged beyond repair after crash-landing at Harlaxton on 29 July 1943. For reasons not known, the fuselage roundel and unit code were painted out at the time this photograph was taken.

Royal Air Force- 2nd Tactical Air Force, 1943-1945. Dutch workmen dig drainage channels at B88/Heesch, Holland, while Supermarine Spitfire Mark IXs, MJ275 'VZ-J' and MJ452 'VZ-L', of No. 412 Squadron RCAF, loaded with 250-lb bombs, rest on pierced steel planking (PSP) in their disperal. In the distance are parked other Spitfires of No. 401 Squadron RCAF.

Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Bomber Command Lancaster R5610/OL-G of No. 83 Squadron at Scampton, July/August 1942.

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945. Mechanics at work on an engine of Avro Lancaster B Mark III, LM577 'HA-Q' 'Edith', of No. 218 Squadron RAF on a pan hardstanding at Chedburgh, Suffolk. 'Edith's' sortie tally shows a total of 84 bombing operations achieved with Nos. 622 and 218 Squadrons, in addition to which the aircraft also flew 14 food-dropping and prisoner-of-war repatriation sorties to and from Holland in May 1945. By this time relegated to a training role, LM577 completed more flying hours than any other Lancaster on the station.

Start of aircraft engine Start of aircraft engine using strap. Two military people at aircraft propellers.

Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Fighter Command Pilots of No 132 Squadron with their CO, Squadron Leader Alan Page (holding map), and his Spitfire LF IX at Ford, 27 April 1944. Twenty-four hours earlier they had taken part in the first offensive Spitfire operation over Germany, strafing targets in the area between Aachen and Cologne. Page had been badly burned in the Battle of Britain, before resuming operational flying. He finished the war with 10 individual and several shared kills.

Aircrew and Nose art on 'S-Sugar', a Short Stirling of No. 7 Squadron RAF, in a dispersal at RAF Oakington, Cambridgeshire.

Two Hurricane Mk IIC night fighters of No. 247 Squadron RAF based at Predannack, Cornwall, April 1942. Two Hurricane Mark IIC night fighters, BE634 ZY-V and BD936 ZY-S, of No. 247 Squadron RAF based at Predannack, Cornwall, in flight over the sea. BE634 is flown by the Squadron Commander, Squadron Leader P St. G OBrian, and BD936 by a Free French pilot, Sous-Lieutenant Helies.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Photo reportage on the island of Bangka and the town of Pangkal Pinang. Army Day in Pangkal Pinang. Airplane (B-25 Mitchell Bomber). January 18, 1947. Banka, Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945. Ventura Mark II, AE939 SB-C, of No. 464 Squadron RAAF based at Feltwell, Norfolk, in flight.

Anefo photo collection. Command transfer Lieutenant General Aler to Lieutenant General Anton Baretta. October 1, 1953. Soesterberg airbase

Royal Air Force- France, 1939-1940 Bristol Blenheim Mark IV, L8760 'XD-D', of No. 139 Squadron RAF taxies to a halt at Betheniville after a sortie.

Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter. Beaufighter Mark VIC (ITF), interim torpedo fighter, JL832 'A' of No. 144 Squadron RAF based at Tain, Ross-shire, in flight

The Royal Navy during the Second World War A Fairey Firefly of 1770 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm with wheels and hook down is ready to land on board HMS INDEFATIGABLE on the aircraft's return from the carrier-borne air strike on the Japanese oil refinery at Pangkalan Brandan, Sumatra. Note the empty rocket rails beneath the aircraft's wings.

Anefo photo collection. Marine Aviation Service established Jagersquadron operate aircraft covers .. 1943-1945}. Britain

Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. Three Westland Whirlwinds of No 263 Squadron RAF based at Exeter, Devon, flying in stepped line-astern formation over the West Country.

Lockheed F-5A Lightning 42-13319 'Kay' of the 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron of the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group based out of RAF Mount Farm. The F-5A is a photo reconnaissance plane based on the P-38 Lightning. No weapons on the nose, but cameras.

Soviet bombers are on a combat mission. Kursk District, 1943

Royal Air Force Operations in the Far East, 1941-1945.

Air Force manager inspects the marine scene on Fårösund, 1937 . Air Force Manager Torsten Friis inspects the marine scanning course.

Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. A flight of Hawker Hurricane Mark Is of No. 151 Squadron RAF take off from North Weald, Essex, while beneath them, Hurricanes of 56 Squadron RAF taxy to the northern end of the main runway. Behind them can be seen the wireless masts of the GPO radio station at Weald Gullet.

Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Armstrong Whitworth Aw.38 Whitley. Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mark V, BD496 'QA-E', of No. 297 Squadron RAF, base at Hurn, Hampshire, standing ready to emplane paratroops at Ringway, Cheshire, for a Combined Operations exercise..

The Royal Navy during the Second World War HM King George VI wearing the uniform of an admiral of the fleet inspecting Fairey Swordfish aircraft and personnel during his four day visit to the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Gading and Plajen, action by mountain field. Action in the direction of Gading, Plajen and Wonosari. The infantry raised at night to close the area, which gangs were signaled, the purification started in the morning. The airport at Gading on Central Java was blocked by the fact that trenches were dug across the stamps. After a few days of hard work, aircraft could be landed again, albeit half cargo. Dakotas are released, the load is transferred to grobaks, which ensure further transport. March 9, 1949. Indonesia, Java, Dutch East Indies

Royal Air Force- France, 1939-1940. Hawker Hurricane Mark Is of No. 85 Squadron RAF at readiness at Lille-Seclin. In the foreground, two ground crew wait by a trolley-accumulator to start the engine.

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1939-1941. A bomb load, consisting of a 500-lb MC, and 250-lb GP bombs, being delivered by tractor to a Vickers Wellington Mark IC of No. 149 Squadron RAF at a dispersal at Mildenhall, Suffolk, for a raid on Hamburg, Germany.

Artwork: "The ALQ-172 Collection" Artist: Dick Kramer, US Air Force Art Collection. Country: Unknown

Vintage photograph. A Navy "Skyraider" armed with three 1,000 pound bombs takes off from the USS Valley Forge

Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- De Havilland Dh 98 Mosquito. Formation of four Mosquito Mark IIs of No. 605 Squadron RAF based at Ford, Sussex in flight.

Royal Air Force Flying Training Command, 1940-1945. A flying instructor and his pupil prepare for a flight in Miles Master Mark II, DM208, at the RAF (Belgian) Training School, at Snailwell, Cambridgeshire.

Royal Air Force- France, 1939-1940. Three Bristol Blenheim Mark IVs of No. 139 Squadron RAF based at Plivot, flying eastwards over Northern France to survey enemy fortifications.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. Vickers Wellington Mark ICs of No. 37 Squadron RAF, being prepared for a raid at an Advanced Landing Ground in the Western Desert, probably LG 09/Bir Koraiyim, during bombing operations against Italian ports and airfields in Libya. Groundcrew are about to refuel T2508 'LF-O', which has just had its port mainwheel replaced after bursting a tyre on landing.

. A Hawker Typhoon Mark IB (serial JP853 'SA-K'), of No. 486 Squadron RNZAF based at Tangmere, Sussex (UK), flown by P/O Frank 'Spud' Murphy.

Royal Air Force- Italy, the Balkans and South-east Europe, 1944-1945. A Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX of No. 43 Squadron RAF alights on a runway covered with pierced steel planking (PSP) at Nettuno, Italy, following a sortie.

The South African Air Force during the Second World War The crew of Douglas Boston Mark III, W8376 'C', of No 24 Squadron, South African Air Force, walking away from their aircraft on an airfield in Libya after a sortie.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War A Fairey Barracuda about to take off from HMS RAVAGER whilst she is at sea.

Anefo photo collection. Aviation: Schijndel airport. Spitfires with rotating propellors. February 14, 1945. Noord-Brabant, Schijndel

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. A Curtiss Tomahawk Mark IIB of No. 250 Squadron RAF raises the dust at LG 13/Sidi Heneish South, before taking off on a patrol.

Geiser Theodore (mons) Collection Captured British Tank (Mark IV) being used by the Germans to support an attack on the Western Front.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Far East, 1941-1945. A Burmese bullock cart passes Hawker Hurricane Mark IIC, LE336, of No. 34 Squadron RAF, as ground crews prepare it for another sortie at Palel, Burma.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Far East, 1941-1945. RAF ground crew unload 500-lb GP bombs from trolleys in front of a Hawker Hurricane Mark IIC of No. 221 Group RAF, which is undergoing re-arming of its four 20mm cannon at Palel, Burma.

Anefo photo collection. Repatriation center in Eindhoven. Eindhoven airport. Wounded or sick on stretchers in a row for a plane. 1945. Eindhoven

Fleet Air Arm Series, on Board HMS Victorious. September 1942. A Seafire about to land on.

A U.S. Marine Corps Vought F4U-5N Corsair night fighter of Marine night fighter squadron VMF(N)-513 Flying Nightmares on the flight line at Wonsan, Korea, on 2 November 1950

The Royal Navy during the Second World War Another view of the Blackburn Firebrand torpedo fighter just landing on the flight deck of HMS ILLUSTRIOUS for the first time during trials on the Clyde. The Blackburn Firebrand IV, first single seater torpedo fighter ever built in Britain, is powered by a Bristol Centaurus engine and is armed with four cannons.

American Planes Share In R.A.F. Is Great Offensive.Pilots walking to their machines while a ***** of bombs is brought up for loading in readiness for a another raid on enchy occupied territory.Among the R.A.F. is fast well armed medium bombers now in action against the Nazis, is the American aircraft the Douglas Boston III and as part of Britain's home based force have lately been playing a great part in the day ***** raids, so much a feature of the R.A.F.'s ***** offensive. The Boston III is extremely *****, powerfully armed for attack or defence, ***** two powerful engines (Wright cyclone) of ***** each, has great load carrying capacity. April 9, 1942.

Men Who Raided The Schneider Works At Le Creusot. - ***** Captain C.O. of the station signal ***** off to begin its flight.The raid on the Schneider works at Le Crusot on the night of June ***** was heavy and concentrated, ***** R.A.F. has struck yet another ***** of the plants producing armament ***** Germany. The Schneider works at Le Creusot are the greatest armament ***** France. June 21, 1943. (Photo by British Official Photograph).

The Royal Flying Corps on the Western Front, 1914-1918

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Reportage Hollandia. Aeroplane. February 1947. Hollandia, Indonesia, Dutch East Indies, New Guinea

Royal Air Force- Italy, the Balkans and South East Europe, 1942-1945. Vickers Wellington Mark XIIIs of No. 221 Squadron RAF based at Kalamaki, Greece, parked on Sedes airfield after transporting men and supplies to the Allied forces operating in the Salonika area.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Inspectorate General H.J. Curls by Indonesia. At an airport, General Curls drives away in an open staff car in the company of a Colonel der Mariniers. May 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Airmen Sailors in the Making: One of the Fleet Air Arm's instructional seaplanes coming ashore after a practice flight.The Pluck and endurance of the young officers and men of the Fleet Air Arm in recent fighting is beyond praise, and the many more young Navy men who are anxious for the opportunity to emulate their gallant work are now training with great kenness and enthusiasm. July 29, 1940. (Photo by LNA).

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